Famed for its drift ice and icebreakers, Abashiri offers an array of attractions for nature enthusiasts. Explore the beauty of Cape Notoro, Lake Abashiri, and Tentoyama Observatory, or delve into the area's history at the Abashiri Prison Museum. With its stunning landscapes and fascinating past, Abashiri promises an unforgettable experience for every visitor.
The easiest way around Abashiri is on foot, since the major sights and attractions are within walking distance from each other. Though, some sights are located a bit further ahead, where a car or bus might be necessary. If you want to rent a car, the easiest way to do so is to rent a car from Memanbetsu airport.
Public transportation:
To get from Sapporo to Abashiri by public transportation, travelers need to take the JR Limited Express "Okhotsk" from Sapporo Station to Abashiri Station. The journey takes approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Valid rail passes:
Nearest airport:
The nearest and most convenient airport is Memanbetsu airport.
by car: approximately 25 minutes
by public transport: approximately 25 minutes
Rental cars:
We recommend staying in Abashiri between half a day and one day.
Scenic Rides:
Abashiri Drift Ice Breaker Ship:
Ships run daily between January 20th & April 3rd
There are several festivals here throughout the year. Please be advised that the following list is based upon previous entries of those festivals and that the dates might have changed for the following year. It is also possible that the entire festival is cancelled in the case of heavy rainfall or a natural disaster. Please check with the official organisers' website for the most up-to-date information.
For the exact location of any of the festivals listed here, you can consult our map above by clicking on the icon in the upper most corner of the map to open the map legend. Festivals are hidden by default but can be made visible by clicking on the "Festivals" checkbox in the map legend.
Abashiri Okhotsk Summer Festival
Date: July 25th until 28th
Time: ??? (Fireworks start at 19:00)
Abashiri Fisheries Festival
Date: July 28th
Time: 09:00 - 12:30
Memanbetsu Summer Festival
Date: August 3rd and 4th
Time: ??? (Fireworks: 20:00 - 21:00)
Nearest airport:
The nearest and most convenient airport is Memanbetsu airport.
by car: approximately 25 minutes
by public transport: approximately 25 minutes
We recommend the following options for staying connected in Japan: